Neck-yoke



(No Model.)

Patented lu E. H. SHEPARD.

NECK YOKE.

(Application led Sept, 22, 1897.)

ne 2o, |899 wuewbofa MQW# @Mom/m Miren @trarne ELISHA I-I. SI-IEPARD, CF BCYNE CITY, MICHIGAN.

N ECK-YOKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,275, dated June 20, 1899.

Application filed September 22, 1897. Serial No. 652,606. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIsHA II. SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boyne City, in the county of Charlevoix and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Neck-Yokes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a neck-yoke; and it consists, essentially, of a device of this character having slides mounted in the opposite ends thereof, with openings therein supporting rings for the attachment of the breaststrap, the said slides being engaged by spiral springs to permit them to have a yielding movement and conform to the different movements of the draft-animals.

The invention further consists of the details of construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a neck-yoke of a simple and efficient character adapted to compensate for the variation of pull or strain on the breaststrap attaching the devices and one wherein the parts are strong and durable, adapted to be applied to neck-yokes now in use, and comparatively inexpensive in the cost of manufacture.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a neck-yoke embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the device shown by Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modified form of construction, and Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line 0o a; of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 designates a neck-yoke, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as preferably constructed of metal, with longitudinally-disposed seats 2 in the opposite ends with a greater interdimension than slots 3 coincident therewith in the opposite sides of the yoke. The said yoke is made in sections and securely bolted together, and under the seats 2 openings 4 are formed to permit dust or dirt which may congregate in said seats to pass out of the yoke at these points. The center of the yoke-sections is hollow and each is intersected by a bolt-guide 5 for the reception of a central bolt' 6, to which the tongue-ring 7 is attached.

The introduction of the slots 3 relatively to the seats 2 provides oppositely-disposed flanges 8, and between the said flanges and located in the said seats are slides 9, having central apertures 10, in which are movably mounted rings 11 to receive attaching devices running to the breast-strap of the harness. These slides 9 are engaged by coilsprings 12, also mounted in the said seats and bearing at opposite ends against the opposite end walls of each seat. These springs permit a yielding movement of the slides 9; but when tension or strai-n is withdrawn from said slides through the medium of the rings 11 the' parts assume a normal position, and, fu'rthermore,adaptation to the movement or sway of the draft-animals without. exerting strain upon the breast-strap is secured. Between the central hollow portions of the yoke and the seats 2 vertical bars 13 are located and not only form additional means, but greatly strengthen the yoke.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a slight modification in the construction is shown. In this instance the ordinary wooden yoke 14 is employed and recessed, as at 15, on the lower side at the opposite ends. Cases 16, formed of malleable iron or analogous material and in sections, are placed in the said recesses and form seats similar to those heretofore set forth and wherein are mounted slides and springs, as in the previously-described device. The said slides in this instance are engaged by rings 17, through which the opposite ends of the yoke extend, and by this arrangement of parts an ordinary wooden yoke now in use can quickly and easily have the improved construction applied thereto.

Variations in the minor details of construction, proportions, and dimensions might be made and substituted for those shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what IOO l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters against opposite ends of said slides, substan- Io Patent, isv tially as described.

The combination With the neck-yoke hav- In testimony whereof I have signed this ing seats at opposite ends, closed at each specification in the presence of two subscribend, and formed With slots in the lower sides ing Witnesses.

and with opposite longitudinal springs of ELISHA H. SHEPARD. the slides centrally located in said seats, the Witnesses:

rings passing therethrough and Working in L. D. FAIRCHILD,

said openings and the coiled springs bearing C. J. HERRON. 

